Author Topic: More important: condition and history or trim level? (Read 1155 times)

johngenx · « **on:** November 22, 2011, 07:00:22 pm »

Well, I bet you guys know which side I'm on, but I need some moral support. We've decided to go for a Highlander to replace my aging Forester. My missus really likes the upper trim levels with leather, etc.

But, I've found one that's newer than than the others, with low kms' and outstanding service records. This guy maintained the car the way I would have, maybe better!! BUT, it's a base model, so it has a cloth interior, no NAV, no Bluetooth, no auto-climate-control and the other goodies found on the Sport/Limited trim levels. But, it is newer, so it does have the power lift, rear camera, CD changer with iPod plug and other stuff that's not bad to have.

Since we keep things until they're old and have tons of km's on them, I'm thinking of snapping up this super-cherry base model (same $$ as the upper trim) and get the lower km's (~40K less) and impeccable service history.

Opinions? I know you're car-nuts that go for service, but toys are cool too...

Snowman · « **Reply #1 on:** November 22, 2011, 07:05:41 pm »

I'm with you on the 40k less on the clock John. That is two years of driving plus you have the records to validate the maintenance. This is an easy decision

sailor723 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 22, 2011, 07:06:02 pm »

I'd honestly be torn on this one. I know my heart would say buy the loaded one while my head would be pulling for the practical advantages of the low mileage base model. Let us know who wins

rrocket · « **Reply #3 on:** November 22, 2011, 07:17:20 pm »

Mileage doesn't scare me, if it's maintained properly. 40K is nothing on a vehicle maintained in the manner that you would maintain it, John. And certainly there has to be some higher mileage ones that have been maintained properly.

I prefer to get the most bang for my buck. That includes leather and all the trimmings. If I have a choice between a fully loaded model with 40K extra mileage, yet it's been maintained as well as the lower mileage ones....I'll take the higher mileage one. Especially since the mileage is a bit of a moot point since it will have a bazillion KMs on it by the time you're done with it...

johngenx · « **Reply #4 on:** November 22, 2011, 07:27:13 pm »

The problem is that damned few of them have comprehensive service records. They're lease-backs from auction, and from scattered parts of the country. Hey, I'm okay with that, but this particular base model is a local car with complete service records: oil/filter every 5K-km's, etc, etc.

As for condition, it's just on another level from the others I've seen. Not even any rock chips. It was an owned car, and shows that a caring owner had it.

I hadn't been looking at any base models until I spotted this particular one.

Snowman · « **Reply #5 on:** November 22, 2011, 07:32:25 pm »

I would shy way form any vehicle without records. It is not hard to keep records and if there are none or big gaps there is a reason. Nothing like buying a vehicle form a fellow car guy/gal

airbalancer · « **Reply #6 on:** November 22, 2011, 07:39:27 pm »

leather and heated seat will run $1800 aftermarket, and the leather will be better then Toyota
plus you probably get heated seats in the rear
bt is also cheap, nav no big deal

rrocket · « **Reply #7 on:** November 22, 2011, 07:55:20 pm »

Quote from: airbalancer on November 22, 2011, 07:39:27 pm

leather and heated seat will run $1800 aftermarket, and the leather will be better then Toyota
plus you probably get heated seats in the rear
bt is also cheap, nav no big deal

Agreed. Leatherseats.com is a ClubLexus forum sponsor. Their leather is as nice as the Lexus stuff. I've seen it in person. For a Highlander with heated seats, it's $899. Want factory GPS? The only way to go is FlyAudio. They use OEM panels and knobs. If not, a nice aftermarket system is an option also. Best thing about these, is you can add them as you go and funds permit.

Julie · « **Reply #8 on:** November 22, 2011, 07:59:19 pm »

Okay, I like goodies on my car, but I'd take the base model with great service records and impeccable condition. You'll keep this car 10 years right? The Nav will be outdated. While I find my factory bluetooth super convenient (but I take a lot of calls in-car), I don't personally care about the other things much and even the lack of bluetooth would not be a deal-breaker for me.

But if you wife really likes the goodies, can you guys wait until a loaded AND impeccably maintained one comes along?

CanuckG35 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 22, 2011, 08:03:12 pm »

If it were me and I was planning on keeping it for many years to come, I would make sure that I would have the exact trim that I wanted. That's just me though.

airbalancer · « **Reply #10 on:** November 22, 2011, 08:06:15 pm »

Quote from: rrocket on November 22, 2011, 07:55:20 pm

Quote from: airbalancer on November 22, 2011, 07:39:27 pm
leather and heated seat will run $1800 aftermarket, and the leather will be better then Toyota
plus you probably get heated seats in the rear
bt is also cheap, nav no big deal

Agreed. Leatherseats.com is a ClubLexus forum sponsor. Their leather is as nice as the Lexus stuff. I've seen it in person. For a Highlander with heated seats, it's $899. Want factory GPS? The only way to go is FlyAudio. They use OEM panels and knobs. If not, a nice aftermarket system is an option also. Best thing about these, is you can add them as you go and funds permit.

$899 is that material only? Most place want $500 for the heaters install
http://www.katzkin.com/ is another place

rrocket · « **Reply #11 on:** November 22, 2011, 08:09:28 pm »

Quote from: airbalancer on November 22, 2011, 08:06:15 pm

Quote from: rrocket on November 22, 2011, 07:55:20 pm
Quote from: airbalancer on November 22, 2011, 07:39:27 pm
leather and heated seat will run $1800 aftermarket, and the leather will be better then Toyota
plus you probably get heated seats in the rear
bt is also cheap, nav no big deal

Agreed. Leatherseats.com is a ClubLexus forum sponsor. Their leather is as nice as the Lexus stuff. I've seen it in person. For a Highlander with heated seats, it's $899. Want factory GPS? The only way to go is FlyAudio. They use OEM panels and knobs. If not, a nice aftermarket system is an option also. Best thing about these, is you can add them as you go and funds permit.
$899 is that material only? Most place want $500 for the heaters install
http://www.katzkin.com/ is another place

John could wire it himself. He's no dummy....

johngenx · « **Reply #12 on:** November 22, 2011, 08:22:15 pm »

As nice as the Lexus leather? Impressive. The Toyota leather feels chintzy to me, the Lexus leather is 100x nicer. Turns out the missus wants Nav, but she wants it in the 'Rolla, so I'll have a nice aftermarket unit installed in it. I couldn't care less.

1TSX · « **Reply #13 on:** November 22, 2011, 08:27:59 pm »

If I had the time, I'd choose neither, and keep waiting for the perfect one.

rrocket · « **Reply #14 on:** November 22, 2011, 08:30:03 pm »

Quote from: johngenx on November 22, 2011, 08:22:15 pm

As nice as the Lexus leather? Impressive. The Toyota leather feels chintzy to me, the Lexus leather is 100x nicer. Turns out the missus wants Nav, but she wants it in the 'Rolla, so I'll have a nice aftermarket unit installed in it. I couldn't care less.

Yea...I saw a 1995 LS400 redone, and it was every bit as nice. I too was impressed.

airbalancer · « **Reply #15 on:** November 22, 2011, 08:31:19 pm »

but John has a private banker he can have his hired help do the install

rrocket · « **Reply #16 on:** November 22, 2011, 08:35:13 pm »

Quote from: airbalancer on November 22, 2011, 08:31:19 pm

but John has a private banker he can have his hired help do the install

Well heck...then he can spring for the massaging option too!

mmret · « **Reply #17 on:** November 22, 2011, 09:01:12 pm »

Power tailgate, camera, iPod and changer are better to have than leather, bluetooth, and Nav imo in this type of vehicle.

Leather/Nav/BT come easily in the aftermarket.

Flinter · « **Reply #18 on:** November 22, 2011, 09:11:10 pm »

I'd also go for the super-cherry base model with the lower km's and service history. As you indicated the base model is not exactly lacking and as other's have noted you can add pretty much any option you want with the aftermarket these days.

If you go the other route and buy a higher optioned sample, with an unknown service history, it could seriously bite you in the butt down the road.

Railton · « **Reply #19 on:** November 22, 2011, 09:15:52 pm »

Quote from: johngenx on November 22, 2011, 07:00:22 pm

Well, I bet you guys know which side I'm on, but I need some moral support. We've decided to go for a Highlander to replace my aging Forester. My missus really likes the upper trim levels with leather, etc.

But, I've found one that's newer than than the others, with low kms' and outstanding service records. This guy maintained the car the way I would have, maybe better!! BUT, it's a base model, so it has a cloth interior, no NAV, no Bluetooth, no auto-climate-control and the other goodies found on the Sport/Limited trim levels. But, it is newer, so it does have the power lift, rear camera, CD changer with iPod plug and other stuff that's not bad to have.

Since we keep things until they're old and have tons of km's on them, I'm thinking of snapping up this super-cherry base model (same $$ as the upper trim) and get the lower km's (~40K less) and impeccable service history.

Opinions? I know you're car-nuts that go for service, but toys are cool too...

What are the details of each, year, km's price?
Railton